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The long‐run prevalence of food insufficiency among older Americans

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  • Helen Levy

Abstract

The prevalence of food insufficiency among seniors in any given year is well‐documented, but the prevalence of this hardship over a longer time period in later life is unknown. Using panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, I find that about 8% of seniors report food insufficiency over a 2‐year recall window, while 22% experience it at some point over the two decades of their 60s and 70s. Food insufficiency is not concentrated among a small group of persistently disadvantaged elderly, but is instead a surprisingly common feature of the later life course.

Suggested Citation

  • Helen Levy, 2022. "The long‐run prevalence of food insufficiency among older Americans," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(2), pages 575-590, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:44:y:2022:i:2:p:575-590
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13229
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